System and method for implementing multiple ring networks using a common link

A network node, comprising:

• a first ring port configured to
• receive a first ring protocol control packet conveyed in a first ring network, and
• receive a first data packet;
• a second ring port configured to receive a second ring protocol control packet conveyed in a second ring network;
• a third ring port configured to be coupled to a common link, wherein
• the common link is part of the first ring network and the second ring network;
• and
• a control module coupled to the first ring port, the second ring port, and the third ring port, wherein
• the control module is configured to determine that the third ring port is associated with a first ring identifier identifying the first ring network,
• the control module is configured to determine that the third ring port is associated with a second ring identifier identifying the second ring network,
• the control module is configured to forward the first ring protocol control packet and the second ring protocol control packet on the common link via the third ring port,
• the control module is configured to append the first ring identifier identifying the first ring network to the first ring protocol packet prior to forwarding the first ring protocol control packet,
• the control module is configured to append the second ring identifier identifying the second ring network to the second ring protocol packet prior to forwarding the second ring protocol packet, and
• the control module is configured to forward the first data packet on the common link via the common ring port, wherein the first data packet is forwarded according to information in a header of the first data packet.

A system comprising:

• a first network node;
• a second network node;
• and
• a common link coupling the first network node and the second network node;
• wherein
• the common link is part of a first ring network and a second ring network,
• the first network node is configured to receive a first ring protocol control packet via the first ring network and a second ring protocol control packet via the second ring network,
• the first network node is configured to append a first ring identifier identifying the first ring network to the first ring protocol control packet and to append a second ring identifier identifying the second ring network to the second ring protocol control packet,
• the first network node is configured to determine that a common ring port on the first network node is associated with the first ring identifier and the second ring identifier,
• the first network node is configured to forward the first ring protocol control packet and the appended first ring identifier and the second ring protocol control packet and the appended second ring identifier on the common link via the common ring port,
• the first network node is configured to receive a first data packet, and
• the first network node is configured to forward the first data packet on the common link via the common ring port, wherein the first data packet is forwarded according to information in a header of the first data packet.

A system comprising:

• means for receiving a first ring protocol control packet from a first ring network via a first ring port, wherein
• the first ring port is coupled to the first ring network;
• means for determining a common ring port is associated with a first ring identifier identifying the first ring network;
• means for appending the first ring identifier identifying the first ring network to the first ring protocol control packet, in response to the means for receiving the first ring protocol control packet via the first ring port;
• means for sending the first ring protocol control packet and the appended first ring identifier on a common link via the common ring port;
• means for receiving a second ring protocol control packet from a second ring network via a second ring port, wherein
• the second ring port is coupled to the second ring network;
• means for determining the common ring port is associated with a second ring identifier identifying the second ring network;
• means for appending the second ring identifier identifying the second ring network to the second ring protocol control packet, in response to the means for receiving the second ring protocol control packet via the second ring port;
• means for sending the second ring protocol control packet and the appended second ring identifier via the common link, wherein
• the common link is part of the first ring network and the second ring network;
• means for receiving a first data packet via the first ring port;
• and
• means for forwarding the first data packet on the common link via the common ring port, wherein the first data packet is forwarded according to information in a header of the first data packet.

A method comprising:

• receiving a first packet from a first ring network of a plurality of ring networks;
• determining whether the first packet is a ring protocol control packet;
• in response to a first determination that the first packet is the ring protocol control packet,
• appending a first ring identifier to the ring protocol control packet, wherein
• the first ring identifier identifies the first ring network from which the ring protocol control packet was received, and
• sending the ring protocol control packet and the first ring identifier on a common link shared by the plurality of ring networks;
• and
• in response to a second determination that the first packet is not the ring protocol control packet,
• forwarding the first packet on the common link, wherein
• the first packet is forwarded according to information in a header of the first packet.